Portable refrigeration box



Sept. 4, 195] A. ALBERT PORTABLE REFRIGERATION BOX Filed June 13, 1946Patented Sept. 4, 1951 UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE y "j assasoif j`PORTABLE REFRIGERAQTION BOX' d `Albert, Denver'ylColo."I--ApplicationiJune 13` 1946,"Serial N0.'676,372

l This invention relates Vto refrigeration apparatusl and more,particularly relates to pqrtable, or transportable refrigeratingunitsl.

In the past, small-capacity refrigerating units, such as the householdmechanical refrigerator, or the like, have provided a Sharp-freezingcontainer and associated storage space Awhere relatively low temperatureatmospheres are maintained. Heat exchange surfaces, such as walls,tubingland the like are included as part of such structures and agas-refrigerant is circulated through the tubing and in contact with`heat-transfer surfaces and then is returned through acondenser-compressor circuit for repeated recirculation.

Such units are satisfactory where the-storage unit is to be operatedcontinuously in one location, but such a system is not suited foroperating portable storage containers, such as those used by hunters andfishermen, for example, Containers are available for such usage, whichhave storage facilities for a quantity of ice or solid carbon dioxide,but these materials melt so rapidly that the containers function aseffective refrigerators for short time intervals only unless therefrigerant supply is replenished.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, economicaland efficient refrigeration method which may be utilized in portablestorage receptacles for protracted periods.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple, durable andeflicient refrigerator apparatus which is easily transported andprovides a substantial amount of storage space.

Other objects reside in novel combinations and arrangements of parts,all of which will be fully described in the course of the followingdescription.

To afford a better understanding of the invention, reference will bemade to the accompanying drawings illustrating typical embodiments. Inthe drawings, in the several views of which like parts have beendesignated similarly,

Fig. 1 is a vertical central section through a portable refrigeratorunit embodying features of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section through tank 9 showing conduit I3extending from an elevated position in tank 9.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the features of the present invention may beincorporated in a portable refrigerator unit of the type used byfishermen and for outing purposes. The refrigerator R comprisesadouble-walled body 3, preferably cylindrical and having a double-walledbottom 1 claim. (o1. (i2- 92) 4, and a double-walled lid 5 hinged at 6to permit access to `the interior storage compartment 1.

The space between the inner and outer walls of body 3, bottom 4 and lid5 is substantially filled with a suitable heat insulating material 8 tomaintaincompartment 'I in heat-insulated relation to the atmosphere. Arefrigerant storage tank 9 is supported from body 3 and preferably has ailing opening I0 which normally is closed by a cap I2. A conduit I3 mayextend from an elevated position in tankl through a bottom 'outlettherein as shownin Fig. 2 or may extend directly from the bottom outletas shown in Fig. 1, and is wound -as a coil assembly |30. in body 3 withan outlet extending through thebody to the atmosphere, as shown at I4.Preferably, a valve I5 controls the discharge of refrigerant from tank 9into conduit I3 and a second valve I6 at outlet I4 controls the rate ofescape of evolved gases to the atmosphere.

A variety of refrigerants may be used in the operation of therefrigerator, but I prefer to use Freon (CC12F2) or otherfluorine-substituted hydrocarbons, such as CHFC12 because of theirnon-noxious qualities and liquid condition. I-Iowever, solid carbondioxide, sulfur dioxide or the like may be used if these otherrefrigerants are not available.

In use, the refrigerator R may be transported manually, or vby vehicle,pack animal or the like to any location where it is desired to use theunit in the preservation of perishables or the like. As an example,fishermen frequently will go into remote sections to stay for protractedperiods because of the good fishing conditions prevailing at suchplaces. Usually, such locations are so far away from any market sourceof ice or solid carbon dioxide that it is not possible to preserve thecatch under refrigerated conditions, even though it would be desirableto do so if possible.

At such a location, the unit R may be kept in an inactive conditionuntil the actual refrigerating need arises, although preferably thereservoir R will be filled with a refrigerant such as Freon duringtransportation and an additional supply will be carried in suitablecontainers for use as the original reservoir supply is exhausted. Theunit shown in Fig. 1 is activated by partially opening valve I5,whereupon the liquid in tank 9 is released into coils I3a where itevolves into a vapor due to expansion in the coils I3a. In order toactivate the unit with a tank 9 as shown in Fig. 2, the valve I5 ispartially opened, causing a release of pressure within the reservoir 9which vaporizes a portion of the liquid. This vapor rises above theliquid and enters conduit I3 to flow past valve l5 and thence into thecoil circuit I3a, producing the heat transfer action in the coils whichmaintains a low temperature condition in compartment 'l and itscontents.

' Y Preferably the discharge to atmosphere of the i0 to permitcontinuance ci'. the refrigeration Y action. It will be apparent that byrepetitions of the above procedure, a unit of this type may be. kept incontinuous operation for an indefinite period so long as a sufficientsupply of the refrigerant is available. Y -v Byernploying an. insulatedconstruction ofthe type disclosed, only a, relatively small amount ofgas.. ilow is required in maintaining'desred tem.- .peratures alter theinitial temperature reduction to prescribed limits has been effected.Also. if it, is necessary to place the unit in locations where it maybe. exposed to sun, lightv or other heating factors, the double wallconstruction. is effective in .preventing anyv heating of the storagecompartment` from such externalsources. 'Iffhe design-may be variedsubstantially to suit capacity and other requirements, andy as long as,the circuitarrangementl ofthe general type here- 4 inbeforedescribed isprovided, satisfactory results will` be obtained.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is`:

In a refrigeration box for perishables, an outer shell, an inner shellspaced therein to provide an open space between said inner and outershells, an insulation material in said open space, an insulated covernormally supported on the box and providing an access opening to. theinterior, a refrigerant storage tank mounted on said box,

acircuitous conduit extending from said tank inV heat-transferrelationship to the inner shell, means fory controlling the release ofrefrigerant from the;V storage tank into said conduit, and meansadjacent the end of said conduit for discharging, evolved Vvapors toatmosphere ALAN ALBERT.

, REEERENi-:Es CITED- The follmving references are of record in the leof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,818,042 Wagner 1 Sept. 20,y1932 1,923,899; Aus. 22, 1933 2,039,423 Ross et al. Aug. 10,y 19372,124,1L0 July 19, 1938 2,374,972 Biehl May 1, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Coun-try Date Germany Mar. 17, 1921

